The beginning of October means one thing for all students – the end of holidays and going back to the university. This year, our students from our sister foundation Kasisi – James and Eva – were joined at the Medical Faculty in Bydgoszcz by Solange. She came straight from Rwanda, where she had been taking care of hospice patients for the past two years.

Solange finished high school with 100/100 exam results, yet she did not receive a scholarship to study medicine in Kigali. Seeing her commitment and care for the patients in the hospice, we had no doubt that we had to give wings to her dreams. We invited Solange to Poland.

Although very happy, we left Solange in Bydgoszcz slightly scared and bewildered by the new reality. Fortunately, we have our other two students from Kasisi on the spot, and they have already gone through this difficult initial stage themselves. They immediately offered her their help. This is what James wrote to us about his meeting with Solange:

“The sight of Solange preparing for her first year of university reminds me of my first years in Poland. Everything was new! A new country, new people, new surroundings. I remember that it took me a while to get used to a different reality.

Beginnings are never easy, especially when you are far away from home, family and friends. Fortunately, we were able to do some sightseeing before all our time gets consumed by our studies. I showed Solange Bydgoszcz and the beautiful places all around the city. I also introduced her to all the main places on the student campus. On Sunday, we went to see Torun. We were fortunate to watch a kayaking competition that by chance was being held that day on the Vistula River. It was a lot of fun.

University starts soon, for me it will be the fifth year, for Eva the third, and Solange is just beginning her amazing journey. Keep your fingers crossed for the three of us. We are thankful for you each and every day, because it is only thanks to people like you that our biggest dream is coming true!”